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Below Average

#232 of 292 schools in HI

Kaunakakai Elementary School

Elementary School · Hawaii Department of Education

PO Box 1950, Kaunakakai, HI 96748

Enrollment

274

Student-Teacher

15.2:1

Score

4.6

Grades

Pre-K – 6th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Hawaii schools

#232 of 292

In Kaunakakai

#1 of 2

public schools

In district

#232 of 292

Hawaii Department of Education

Academic performance

7.4 / 10

Very Good

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Kaunakakai Elementary School

4.6/10

Elementary School in Kaunakakai · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Ho'omana Hou School

Nearby

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Akaula School

Nearby

4.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kaunakakai Elementary School

Kaunakakai Elementary School is a public elementary school in Kaunakakai, HI, part of Hawaii Department of Education. Kaunakakai Elementary School serves approximately 274 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 15.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Kaunakakai Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #232 of 292 schools in HI.

Structured state assessment records for Kaunakakai Elementary School show 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.4
  • HI avg 6.4

What Parents Should Know

Kaunakakai Elementary School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

53% of students at Kaunakakai Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.7Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data14
Annual Change-2.7 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2022
TrendDeclining
Academics7.4Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency37% (2022 EdFacts)
Reading/ELA Proficiency42% (2022 EdFacts)
Overall Proficiency40% (2022 EdFacts, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)25% (model expectation from 2022 EdFacts)
vs. Expected+15.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile62th
Resources & Environment2.6Needs Improvement20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$20,056
Chronic Absenteeism52.6%

Kaunakakai Elementary School — Students at Kaunakakai Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 24%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

78.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores HI EDFACTS (2021-22)

Math Proficiency 38.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2022)
School
State
N/A

Based on 28 test records from HI state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
57%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
52%
ELA
57%
2011
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
67%
2013
Math
52%
ELA
62%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2015
Math
37%
ELA
37%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2018
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2019
Math
27%
ELA
42%
2020*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
37%
ELA
42%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.7/10.

How Kaunakakai Elementary School Compares

See how Kaunakakai Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
21th percentile in HI
Academic
7.4/10
Very Good
Growth
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
2.6/10
Needs Improvement

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
18 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
52.6%

Location

PO Box 1950, Kaunakakai, HI 96748

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kaunakakai Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. King Kamehameha III Elementary School (rated 7.6/10, 23.5 miles away, in nearby Lahaina), which scores notably higher. Another option is KE KULA O PIILANI (rated 7.4/10, 34.1 miles away, in nearby Wailuku), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kualapuu School - Public Conversion Charter (rated 5.7/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Kualapuu), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Kaunakakai, see our Kaunakakai schools guide .

Nearby Schools

15 within 34.1 mi
School Distance Rating
HO'OMANA HOU SCHOOL Kaunakakai 0.2 mi
AKAULA SCHOOL Kualapuu 4.5 mi
Kualapuu School - Public Conversion Charter Kualapuu 5.0 mi 5.7
Molokai High School Hoolehua 5.6 mi 5.6
Molokai Middle School Hoolehua 5.6 mi 6.4
Kilohana Elementary School Kaunakakai 11.9 mi 3.8
Maunaloa Elementary School Maunaloa 12.7 mi 2.5
Lanai High & Elementary School Lanai City 19.1 mi 6.4
King Kamehameha III Elementary School Lahaina 23.5 mi 7.6
MAUI PREPARATORY ACADEMY Lahaina 23.7 mi 6.8
SACRED HEARTS SCHOOL & EARLY LEARNING CENTER Lahaina 26.5 mi 8.3
Princess Nahienaena Elementary School Lahaina 26.7 mi 4.5
Lahaina Intermediate School Lahaina 26.8 mi 5.5
Lahainaluna High School Lahaina 27.0 mi 5.4
KE KULA O PIILANI Wailuku 34.1 mi 7.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 96748 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$76,974

Median Home Value

$355,500

Median Rent

$941/mo

Population

5,168

College Educated

21.7%

Homeownership

61.1%

Poverty Rate

18.8%

Median Age

37.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Nanakuli Elementary School Waianae, HI 4.5
Kalihi Elementary School Honolulu, HI 4.7
Kahaluu Elementary School Kaneohe, HI 4.4
Royal Elementary School Honolulu, HI 4.9
King William Lunalilo Elementary School Honolulu, HI 4.1
Prince Jonah Kuhio Elementary School Honolulu, HI 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kaunakakai Elementary School

What grades does Kaunakakai Elementary School serve?

Kaunakakai Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.

How many students attend Kaunakakai Elementary School?

Kaunakakai Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 274 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kaunakakai Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kaunakakai Elementary School is 15.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kaunakakai Elementary School rank in HI?

Kaunakakai Elementary School ranks #232 of 292 schools in HI.

What is Kaunakakai Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kaunakakai Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Kaunakakai Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kaunakakai Elementary School has 39% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022) and 47% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2022).

Is Kaunakakai Elementary School a charter school?

No, Kaunakakai Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kaunakakai Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Kaunakakai Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kaunakakai Elementary School?

78.1% of students at Kaunakakai Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
274
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
18
Free/Reduced Lunch
78.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Remote Rural
County
Maui County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
52.6%

District

Hawaii Department of Education
District Enrollment
169,308
Schools in District
295
Per-Pupil Spending
$20,056
District Rank
#232 of 292

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